NFL power rankings: Chiefs overtake sliding Bills atop AFC; Vikings, Dolphins, Bucs make big gains for Week 11

Vinnie Iyer

NFL power rankings: Chiefs overtake sliding Bills atop AFC; Vikings, Dolphins, Bucs make big gains for Week 11 image

Week 10 in the NFL gave us some shakeup that Week 9 didn't provide. That sets up an interesting new pecking order for the league's best and worst teams going into Week 11.

Although the No. 1 Eagles are safe for now with no losses yet, there is plenty of change behind them. The Chiefs are the clear new team to beat in the AFC. Dormant NFC powerhouses such as the 49ers and Buccaneers are starting to flex. There's even a lot of shuffling between the many three-win teams.

Putting all that together, here's how all 32 teams stack up against each other with two months left in the 2022 NFL season:

MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture after Week 10

NFL power rankings Week 11

1. Philadelphia Eagles 8-1 (previous ranking: 1)

The Eagles won't need to worry about chasing perfection anymore after their shocking Week 10 Monday night home loss to the Commanders. They keep the top spot despite a division-game hiccup as they are still the most complete team when considering offensive and defensive strengths and versatility.

2. Kansas City Chiefs 7-2 (3)

The Chiefs are the team to beat in the AFC (again). Patrick Mahomes is the MVP front-runner (again). Andy Reid has made great personnel adjustments (again). They are becoming hard to stop offensively with new weapons piling on.

Kirk Cousins
(Getty Images)

3. Minnesota Vikings 8-1 (4)

The Vikings, after losing to the Eagles on the road in Week 2, needed a signature win through all their close-game victories to get a little more respect as Super Bowl contenders. That came with the minor miracle in Buffalo, fueled by Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook.

4. Miami Dolphins 7-3 (14)

The Dolphins were off to the races early with their speedy wide receivers and running backs against the Browns with Tua Tagovailoa playing his best football. They're now in first place in the AFC East.

5. Buffalo Bills 6-3 (2)

Josh Allen had a third consecutive shaky game while playing through his elbow injury, but the bigger concern is a defense that's starting to break more against run and pass. The situational football has been sloppy, too, as the Bills continue to lose close games more often than not.

MORE: What's wrong with Josh Allen during Bills' skid?

6. Baltimore Ravens 6-3 (8)

The Ravens got a much-needed bye to help get Mark Andrews and Gus Edwards healthy to further boost what's a smooth and efficient offense again with Lamar Jackson. The defense is also rounding into championship form.

7. Tennessee Titans 6-3 (11)

The Titans saw Derrick Henry slowed but had Ryan Tannehill back just in time to wake up their passing game in key moments against the Broncos, with the defense doing its usual grinding while well shorthanded.

Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones
(Getty Images)

8. New York Giants 7-2 (7)

The Giants do what they need to do to take advantage of weaker opponents with the defense, running game and just enough big pass plays from Daniel Jones. Brian Daboll remains in the coach of the year conversation.

9. San Francisco 49ers 5-4 (9)

The 49ers had a bit of an offensive grind sticking to the running game against the Chargers but they could afford to do that with their defense dominating again after the bye. They should have the NFC West lead again soon.

10. Dallas Cowboys 6-3 (5)

The Cowboys' offense made too many mistakes led by Dak Prescott and the defense doesn't fare well when pounded by a good running game. That might cost them in bigger games in the march toward the playoffs.

MORE: Christian Watson joins Randy Moss in record books vs. Cowboys

11. Seattle Seahawks 6-4 (6)

The Seahawks came down to earth a little as their big weaknesses in run defense and inside coverage were exposed in Germany. They also are out of their element when game script takes Kenneth Walker's rushing attack out of the equation.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-5 (15)

Tom Brady has the Bucs back where they belong in comfortable first place in the NFC South with a well-rounded offensive and defensive approach. They really get rolling into the playoffs after the Week 11 bye.

Tom Brady
(Getty Images)

13. Cincinnati Bengals 5-4 (12)

The Bengals got a bye to get a little healthier. Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon will hope to have Ja'Marr Chase back soon to help them and the rest of the offense. The Bengals also could use some reinforcements on every level of the defense.

14. New York Jets 6-3 (13)

The Jets are winning with a combination of an inspired improved defense and manufacturing enough offense around Zach Wilson with the running backs. They may have a low ceiling, but just getting to the playoffs would be an amazing floor.

15. Washington Commanders 5-5 (18)

The Commanders shocked everyone by beating the Eagles in Philadelphia to close Week 10, getting them back to .500 on the season with Taylor Heinicke, the running game and defense all providing big sparks. Instead of seeing the door slammed on their playoff hopes, they have a glimmer of wild-card hope.

16. Los Angeles Chargers 5-4 (10)

The Chargers can't seem to support Justin Herbert enough offensively and find enough answers for their run defense. They are facing a tough task to stay in the playoff picture with a tough slate ahead, starting with the Chiefs.

MORE: Should Dre Greenlaw have been ejected for Justin Herbert hit?

17. New England Patriots 5-4 (16)

The Patriots are hanging around again in the AFC playoff race by overachieving with running game and defense for Bill Belichick. Mac Jones must play much better in the second half to earn another wild-card berth.

18. Green Bay Packers 4-6 (22)

The Packers dug deep with Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur to bring out the right run-heavy game plan on Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys. it worked in creating big plays in the passing game again, with rookie Christian Watson breaking out.

19. Indianapolis Colts 4-5-1 (23)

The Colts' week of surprises continued as new coach Jeff Saturday put Matt Ryan back as the starting quarterback and made a healthy Jonathan Taylor the centerpiece of the offense again. Indianapolis had its most inspired performance in weeks and it showed.

MORE: Four things Jeff Saturday did right in his winning coaching debut

20. Arizona Cardinals 4-6 (26)

The Cardinals didn't have Kyler Murray in Los Angeles but Colt McCoy executed a careful run-heavy game plan well to get Kliff Kingsbury a much-needed division win. They kept some fading playoff hopes barely alive.

21. Atlanta Falcons 4-6 (19)

The Falcons' run-heavy approach with a limited passing game and an unreliable complementary defense is starting to cost them. Their second-half fade has begun early in the weak NFC South.

22. Los Angeles Rams 3-6 (17)

The Rams can probably stick a fork in their 2022 season with zero chance to repeat. Matthew Stafford wasn't available in Week 10 and now Cooper Kupp might not be available for the rest of the season. There's no defensive or offensive move that can dig Sean McVay's team out of this Super Bowl hangover.

(Getty Images)

23. Cleveland Browns 3-6 (21)

The Browns have two more games before they will see what Deshaun Watson can do at QB, but it's too bad their defense won't keep them in any kind of wild-card contention until then. Playing the Bills and Buccaneers next confirms that.

24. Detroit Lions 3-6 (28)

The Lions are on a winning streak with Dan Campbell as their young defense has made timely big plays to lift the offense's run-heavy effort. After a midseason hiccup, the promising rebuild is back on track, save for Jared Goff.

MORE: Updated 2023 NFL Draft after Week 10

25. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-6 (29)

The Steelers saw a more confident Kenny Pickett after the bye, avoiding mistakes, running when needed and hitting on the big plays that become available. The defense also went back to being disruptive with T.J. Watt.

26. New Orleans Saints 3-7 (20)

The Saints have seen the offensive wheels come off as they have hit the wall with Andy Dalton starting at quarterback. Just as concerning is the run defense downfall under Dennis Allen.

27. Denver Broncos 3-6 (24)

The Broncos have been depleted with their blocking and receiving corps for Russell Wilson and the running game, exacerbating the previous offensive dysfunction. It's uncertain whether that gives struggling coach Nathaniel Hackett a mulligan into next season.

Justin Fields, Russell Wilson
(Getty)

28. Chicago Bears 3-7 (25)

The Bears have had Justin Fields run and pass wild for two consecutive weeks at home against the Dolphins and Lions but have zero wins to show for it. Their offensive rise has been impressive, but the defense needs a ton of help.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-7 (27)

The Jaguars aren't winning much but they keep showing offensive positives around Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. Their young defense also keeps flashing with big plays. They are set up to be much improved in Year 2 under Doug Pederson.

30. Carolina Panthers 3-7 (31)

The Panthers should more purr in winning their third game of the season, with all victories coming at home against division opponents. Steve Wilks has made a decent case to keep the job full-time with more personnel help in 2023.

31. Las Vegas Raiders 2-7 (30)

The Raiders have had shaky defense all season save for Maxx Crosby. Their offense hasn't been great save for Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs. They are not a complete team, and that's why they lose close ones and allow easy comebacks under Josh McDaniels.

32. Houston Texans 1-7-1 (32)

The Texans get good running from rookie Dameon Pierce and scrappy pass defense under Lovie Smith, too. But every week they are dragged down by poor quarterback play from Davis Mills and a sieve of a run defense.

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.